Paraklesis to the New Martyred Fathers of Ntaou Penteli

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

Holy Martyred Venerable Fathers of Ntaou Penteli - Commemorated on Bright Tuesday (source)

   

Paraklesis (Supplication Service) to the Holy New Venerable Martyred Fathers of the Monastery of Christ Pantocrator, TAO (Ntaou) Penteli

written by Fr. Athanasios of Simonopetra
   

   The Priest says the "Blessed is our God...". If it is during the Paschal period, "Christ is risen" is chanted three times. Then, the Psalm "O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear to my supplication..." is read, followed by "God is the Lord..." x4, with verses.
 

Fourth Tone. O You Who were lifted on the Cross.

O Venerable Martyrs of Penteli, as true sons of light and of the Resurrection, and as you stand before Christ rejoicing, you do great things through your holy intercessions. Entreat Him on behalf of all those who call upon your prayers, and grant them the fulfillment of their requests.
  

Glory. Both now.

O Theotokos, we shall never be silent...
  
Then Psalm 50, followed by the Canon in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone.
  

Ode I. Crossing the waters.

O Fathers, heal us both the body and the soul, and visit us through your prayers for us to the compassionate Master, to Whom were proved to be spotless sacrifices.
  
Direct our every thought to ponder the Lord, and to deny the world with manliness, O Fathers, and keep us from giving all meaning to the things of this world.
  
You approached the Master as servants, out of an abundance of love, and took up His Cross on Mount Penteli, O God-bearers, do entreat Him Whom you love on behalf of us.
  

Both now. Theotokion.

The world rejoices in you, O Virgin Lady, as the one who gave birth to the Redeemer, Whom may you ever entreat, together with the multitude of the Venerable Athletes, on behalf of our souls.
 

Ode III. Of the vault of the heaven.

Truly, what is sweeter than to dwell together as brethren, O Saints, for having counted natural family as nothing, with the Spirit as the cause of your unity, you loved the brethren, and you strengthen us.
  
Through dwelling on the Lord's Commandments and psalmody, with fervor you were granted the divine Monastic Schema, and received this weapon of the Lord, through which you strengthen us, O blessed ones.
  
Having the memory of Jesus breathing within your soul at all times, O Venerable Ones, you water the thirsty souls of those now standing here, entreat that we might cultivate this ceaseless prayer.
   

Theotokion

You gave birth to the Lord in a manner surpassing nature, He Who arrayed Himself in humility, entreat Him that we be granted a humble mind and thoughts, O Theotokos.
  
Deliver those who entreat you with fervent faith, O multitude of Venerable Athlete Fathers, and grant the solution to all their requests.
  
Look down on us, in your good favor...
  
Then the Priest says the entreaty, followed by the Kathisma.

The Holy Monastery of Christ Pantocrator, Ntaou Penteli (source)

     

Second Tone. O fervent prayer.

O sacred Fathers of the Monastery of the Pantocrator, you were shown by the Lord to be Martyrs bearing crowns. Entreat Him, we pray, to drive away all dangers of bodies and souls.
  

Ode IV. I have hearkened and heard, O Lord.

As ones who have found salvation in the Monastery of the Savior, O thrice-blessed ones, grant salvation of soul for all of us you praise your struggle, O Fathers.
  
O most-sacred regiment, and sacred dwelling places of the God of peace, we pray that you give peace to our soul through the Divine Spirit.
  
As ones filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, O most-venerable ones, you offer up our prayers, that we might draw closer to Christ the Master.
  

Theotokion.

O unwedded Lady, the protecting wall for every praying soul, do not neglect me, the wretched one, but deliver me from every trial.
  

Ode V. O Lord enlighten us.

Grant deliverance of souls and bodies through your intercessions for us, O Saints, as ones who ever stand before the Lord with boldness.
  
You were afflicted with infirm human nature, O all-precious one, therefore, we pray that you strengthen those who are storm-tossed by temptations and trials.
  
You were granted true victory, O blessed ones, as voluntary sacrificial lambs, therefore grant us victory over our enemies.
  

Theotokion.

I fall as a sparrow before the tramps of the enemy as one senseless, the wretched one. Therefore, O Virgin, deliver me from the beasts.
  

Ode VI. My entreaty I pour out.

You were truly numbered with the Resurrection, having been transformed together with the Resurrected Christ, therefore drive away from us all the bitterness of death, O Venerable Athletes, intercede for us, that we might stand before the Lord as He desires.
  
My life is troubled by the hater of souls, as are my eyes and my mind, therefore, O God-bearing Fathers, who behold the glory of the Savior, enlighten me, the blind one, that I might see the light of my heart.
  
Christ has put death to death, through His death on the Cross, and as you were celebrating the joyous glory of His Resurrection, you suddenly proceeded from death to life. Therefore, make us also children of the Resurrection.
  

Theotokion.

My words are restrained and by thoughts are slowed when I meditate on your divine glory, O Virgin, which you were made worthy of beyond all men. Therefore, as one of your thieves, I cry out: O my soul, magnify the Lady.

Deliver those who entreat you with fervent faith, O multitude of Venerable Athlete Fathers, and grant the solution to all their requests.
  
Spotless one, who by a word did bring to us the word eternal...

Then the Priest says the entreaty, followed by the Kontakion.

The Holy Monastery of Christ Pantocrator, Ntaou Penteli (source)

  

Second Tone. A protection of Christians.

You were shown to be the protectors of our monastery, and you offer up entreaties to the Master, and you pray on behalf of all Christians, and you straightaway hasten to help, O wonderworkers, as deliverers, and you grant healing of every terrible affliction and errors of souls, O divine and sacred Fathers, the boasts of your Monastery.

Prokeimenon

Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord...(2)
Verse: Precious in the sight of the Lord...
Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord...

Gospel According to St. John (John 6:37-40).

All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out.  For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me;  and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day.  For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

Glory.

Through the intercessions of the Venerable Athletes...

Both now.

Through the intercessions of the Theotokos...

Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy...

Plagal of the Second Tone. Having placed all their hopes in Heaven.

Having disdained every evil and worldly thing, you approached the Savior, and took up the Cross through asceticism, and as brethren in all things, you beheld the Mount of Penteli to be as Tabor, O Venerable Ones, as you worked towards theosis. Therefore, you were also received by the Lord through martyrdom on His Radiant day, and you ever behold His beauty. Make us worthy of this also, and intercede for us fervently.

Then the Priest says the: "Save, O God, Your people, and bless Your inheritance..."

The Holy and Wonderworking Relics of the Martyred Fathers of Ntaou Penteli (source)

  

Ode VII. Once from out of Judea.

You were granted grace, O Fathers, not only for believing rightly in the Lord, but also for suffering on behalf of Him as His children suffering the passion, and you ever lift high your cross. Therefore, make us to be His imitators along with you with joy.

You truly put to death all fleshly concerns while still in the body through asceticism, O God-bearing and blessed Fathers, therefore, deliver all of us who honor you in faith, O Champions.

As a vessel full of virtues, you fulfilled every godly deed, and therefore, having taken refuge in the harbor of the Lord, you grant us grace from Heaven, O Ascetics, for those who desire salvation.

Theotokion.

Your Son works wonders, O Birth-giver of God, for all those who love His divine life, and for those who take up His Precious Cross with all willingness, therefore make us worthy to venerate it with joy.
  

Ode VIII. The King of the Heavens.

With joy, you have entered the Lord's Kingdom bearing lamps, O Fathers, make us all worthy to inherit it as well.
  
Through martyrdom, you have proceeded on the heavenly road towards the mansions of the Saints, and you protect us who hymn you through your intercessions.
  
O God-bearing Fathers, you partake of the uncreated, Taborean Light, drive away from us the darkness of sadness and the passions.
  

Theotokion.

When your Son comes to judge the world in His divine glory, O Virgin, deliver me from my just condemnation.
  

Ode IX. Saved through you, O Pure Virgin.

You shine with divine rays upon our hearts through your holy memory, O blessed ones, and you raise me up, the wretched one, from the burning of this life.

O Fathers, you send down heavenly peace from above for all those suffering, and you speedily entreat for their deliverance.
  
Heal the afflictions of those who venerate your precious Relics through the Grace of the Lord, and grant us your blessing, O Holy Fathers.
  

Theotokion.

Creation and all men rejoice, having obtained you as our mediator to the Master and Creator and Most-Good One, O Mother.
  

Holy Chapel of the Martyred Fathers, Ntaou Penteli (source)

  

Then, "Truly it is meet to call you blest...", followed by the Megalynaria.

Rejoice, O Monastery of the Pantocrator, for you have obtained the Fathers as a great wealth, who once lived within you in asceticism, and were later glorified by the Master with perfection together through Martyrdom.
  
With faith, let us venerate the sacred Relics of the Fathers, that breathe forth myrrh and are sacred, and to their children, they grant the lot of rich graces through the Holy Spirit.
  
Deliver all of us from illnesses and every trying circumstance, as we entreat for your defense and blessing, O sacred Fathers, to the glory of the Lord Pantocrator.
  
O band of Fathers, in this Monastery you lived your lives in a God-pleasing manner, and were perfect through the sacred crown of Martyrdom, which you received while skipping, and you invisibly stand beside us, strengthening us.
  
You transfigured the holy Monastery in which you lived through the joy of the Resurrection, and you partake in the life and divine glory on high of Mount Tabor, O all-precious Fathers.
  
All the ranks of Angels, God's Messengers...

Then the Trisagion, followed by the Apolytikion of the Saints:

  

Apolytikion in Tone 4

As spotless lambs of the Savior, dashing out of various nations, the flock gathers together at Pantokratoros. Having been put to death by the rage of the barbarians, rejoicing you enter into heavenly pastures. Therefore holy martyrs of Christ, interceed on behalf of our souls.

Then the Priest says the Entreaty, commemorating the names he wishes, followed by the Apolysis, and then the final hymns:

  

Second Tone. All those you protect.

As true inheritors of all of the blessings of Christ, O Venerable Champion Fathers, receive our requests, and ever grant that which is for our benefit, and drive away the cloud of trials and afflictions from our souls, that the sweet face of the Lord might shine within our hearts, Whose light you ever partake in with joy.
  
Lady, do you receive...
  
My numerous hopes are placed...
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers...
  
(Or if during the Paschal period, "Christ is risen from the dead...")
(source)
 

Holy Martyrs of Ntaou Penteli (source)

 

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs, He has granted life!

Truly the Lord is risen!

Selected hymns from the Feast of the Holy Venerable Martyrs of Ntaou Penteli

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

The Holy Venerable Martyrs of the Monastery of Christ Pantocrator, Ntaou (TAO) Penteli, Martyred on Holy Pascha in 1680, Celebrated most commonly on Tuesday of Bright Week, but variously either on another day of Bright Week or on St. Thomas Sunday (source)

  

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone.

As the sanctified lambs of the Lord chosen from various places, and gathered into your flock, O Pantocrator, you were therefore put to death violently by barbarians, and rejoicing, you proceeded to the heavenly mansions. Therefore, O Venerable Martyrs of Christ, you ever entreat on behalf of our souls.
  

Great Vespers Stichera of the Venerable Martyrs in the First Tone.

The Lord has shown forth many ways to salvation, for you, O divine Fathers, chose beforehand the way of asceticism and the way of the Cross out of love for the Creator. Therefore, you counted the joys of this life as refuse and vanity, O Most-venerable Ones.
  
You hastened to Penteli, O Blessed Ones, and desired to imitate the life of the Angels with purity and obedience. You ever proceeded forward from Earth towards Heaven in a godly manner, being shown to be Paradise.
  
You cried out: "Christ is risen", as you were being slaughtered, O lambs of the Lord and God-bearing Fathers, showing forth in deed that you had found the heavenly life together with the chosen, being sons of the Resurrection.
  

Doxastikon of the Stichera in the Plagal of the First Tone.

O Master Christ Pantocrator, You Who gloriously rose from the dead, and taught to us the power of Your Resurrection, and having the authority over death that is temporary. Therefore, these Venerable Fathers who rest here and who believed in Your Godhead, were taken up as upon the clouds by the cutting blade of the godless, and were made to be inheritors of Your gifts. Through their intercessions, O Good One, grant us a place as well in Your Kingdom.
  

Idiomelon of the Litia in the First Tone.

Rejoice in the Lord, O Mountain of Penteli, for from your crevices has sprung forth a resurrectional rose, the Venerable Martyrs of the Monastery of the Pantocrator, granting fragrance to the faces of the whole Church, and confirming in their souls love for God. For they appeared to be faithful, as champions of the conscience, and rightly received the honor of martyrdom, as they ceaselessly intercede with the risen Christ on behalf of our souls.
  

The Martyred Fathers of Ntaou Penteli (source)

  

Doxastikon of the Aposticha in the Plagal of the First Tone.

After Your life-giving resurrection, O Master Christ, You mystically appeared to Your greatly-burdened Disciples who had return to work, and You blessed their labors, and their nets were straightway filled with a multitude of 153 fish. While on the light-bearing day of Your Resurrection, You gathered a similar number unharmed from the Monastery of the Pantocrator of Your crown-bearing and God-bearing martyred Fathers. As they stand among us as communicants of Your [Mystical] Supper, they offer up intercessions on behalf of us to You the true Fish* [O Christ], and send down richly upon us Your mercy.
  
*Note: "Ιχθύς" is an ancient Christian symbol for Christ, as it stands for "Ihsous Xristos, Theou Yios, Sotir", or "Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior".
  

Kontakion of the Venerable Martyrs in the Fourth Tone. You appeared today.

You took upon yourselves the Cross of the Lord, O Fathers, and shine like precious stones through your asceticism. Therefore, to the barbarians you cry out: "The Lord is risen!"
  

Oikos

You lived your lives pleasing to Christ, while in the dwelling place of the body, O Venerable Ones, desiring to be arrayed in the abiding [vesture] that is radiant and not made by hands. Therefore, you were received by the right hand of the Pantocrator, Who granted to you the betrothal of the Holy Schema. Praising the Resurrection of the Lord, as pure lambs you entered, by the cutting sword of barbarians, into the Kingdom founded by God, where you ever shine with the light of the Lord Who trampled upon death, and, O boasts of the Monastery of Tao, together you chant: "Truly, the Lord is risen!"
  

Synaxarion

On this day, we celebrate the memory of the Holy Glorious Venerable Martyrs of the Holy Monastery of the Pantocrator (Tao) of Mount Penteli, who were slain by the sword by the godless Hagarenes on the radiant day of the glorious Resurrection of our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Verses.

You praise Christ Who is risen in glory,
Radiantly, O Fathers, and were rent by the sword together.

  

Detail of a fresco depicting the martyrdom of the Venerable Martyrs of Ntaou Penteli (source)

  

Exaposteilarion of the Venerable Martyrs in the Second Tone.

Celebrate, O Fathers of the Monastery of the Pantocrator, for you suffered martyrdom out of love for Christ Who trampled upon corruption, and Who grants the Resurrection to all those bearing the name of Christ, as an eternal gift.
  

Prosomoia of the Praises in the First Tone. O all-lauded martyrs.

At Christ's resurrection from the dead, the world rejoices, for the laws of nature are recreated, and the might of death is utterly deposed by the Author of our life, Whom you followed, O Fathers of the Pantocrator, by martyrdom, joining with Him in life.
  
Rejoice, O sacred Monastery of Tao, for your Martyrs were sent to Paradise as the myrrh brought to the Risen One by the Myrrh-bearers, and you became intercessors to the Lord, while those who venerate your Relics glorify Him, ever bearing in mind Your flock.
  
Verse: God is wondrous among His Saints.
As a thief in the night, the Bridegroom, O Saints, came and found you watching, and bearing your lamp with many virtues, therefore He gathered you into His eternal Supper, which the mind of man cannot fathom, nor has ever heard.

Verse: To His Saints that are on His Earth, the Lord has made them wondrous.
Seeking the things on high, where Christ is seated as Master on the right hand of His Father, after having fulfilled His glorious deeds of economy, O Blessed Fathers, the offspring of Tao and the great lights of the Church, you were granted to be with Him through the perfection of your life by the sword.
  

Doxastikon of the Praises in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone.

A voice was once heard in Ramah, and wailing for the incomparably evil slaughter of the Holy Innocents. But there is no mourning or wailing in Penteli at the sudden slaughter of the God-bearing Fathers of the Monastery of the Pantocrator, for among them stands the risen Master, Who harmoniously offers peace, saying: "He who believes in me, even if he dies will live, and will partake of eternal rejoicing before my supremely-radiant Face." As you were made worthy of this, O Venerable Athletes, intercede for us on the day of Judgment.

Megalynarion

Come, O famed Monastery of the Pantocrator in Penteli, and rejoice harmoniously at the struggle of your Venerable Children, who became martyrs of Christ's Resurrection.
(source)
  

The Martyred Fathers of Ntaou Penteli (source)

  

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs, He has granted life!

Truly the Lord is risen!

St. Porphyrios and the Monastery of Ntaou (Dao) Penteli

The Holy Martyred Fathers of the Monastery of the Pantocrator, Ntaou (Dao) Penteli, martyred on Great and Holy Pascha, and commemorated on Bright Tuesday (or St. Thomas Sunday in other traditions) (source)

  
On March 9th 1963, as relates the current Abbess Styliani, we came to the Monastery according to the directive of Archbishop of Athens Chrysostom. On March 14th, St. Porphyrios came to our Monastery for the first time. Then he was staying at St. Nicholas in Kallisia, which was once a Metochion (Dependency) of our Monastery. He would come regularly with his spiritual children and many times served liturgy at our Monastery. He related to us that, when he left Mount Athos, after he was ordained a priest, he prayed to God to show him a holy place where men lived the ascetical life and had spiritual experiences. He went throughout many parts of Greece and in the end he came to Pantocrator Monastery. As he said, however, he went to the then Abbot of Penteli Archimandrite Athanasios Kontogianni, and asked him to give him that place, but he cast him away harshly. And because of this he came to St. Nicholas Kallisia nearby in order to come here to pray. From then he "saw" in his sleep and awake, as he related to us, what had occurred here.

He related to us that the venerable Martyrs of our Monastery were not sanctified only with their blood, but that they had holy lives. They were friends with God, they were like the great Monastic Saints Pachomios, Anthony, Ephraim and Isaac the Syrians, Basil the Great and Chrysostom. They did not leave even one minute without communicating with God. He characteristically said:
"Hear what I'm telling you, that in Orthodoxy, there is no holier place. Oh, that you had the eyes to see what occurred here. Wherever we are walking is a Holy Altar (he said looking around), for there is martyrical blood and Holy Relics. They had many ascetical places that reached Marathon. Many destructions occurred from the wrath of the devil. You will see however what will occur later. It will become a great pilgrimage. They will come from the ends of the earth for a miracle."
  

The Holy Monastery of Ntaou Penteli as it appears today (source)

  
The Elder told us that, when he bought the land in Milesi, he wanted the land around the Monastery to be bought by spiritual people, so that the sisters wouldn't later have problems.

We loved him and routinely went to see him and get his blessing. Many times we made a trip. The sisters would go in a car to the field across from Papouli's Monastery for a blessing.

One day, the Elder related that he wanted to buy another piece of land, where they are now. In one of our visits to that place, a man approached us to sell the land because he needed the money. In reality, some people helped us to acquire it.

I didn't say anything to Papouli [St. Porphyrios] however. One day when we went to the property we went to the Elder to get his blessing. The sisters received his blessing and then he told me:
"Close the door. Where did you come from?"
"From further down. (I pointed the road)
"From there you came?" the Elder asked.
"From further down" I said afraid.
"Is it large?" he asked and he extended his hands to show the size.
"Two parcels, Elder" I confessed.
"Oh you, I wanted that. It was the ancient Monastery, a most ascetical and holy place. The place in the ancient years was called "Kliza Frouga". How did you get it?"
"God, Elder."
"I wanted Ntaou Penteli, the Monastery of the Pantocrator, and you took it from me! "Kliza Frouga" I wanted and you took this from me. What are we going to do with you***?"
(From the book "The Venerable Porphyrios, published by "Enomeni Romiosini". Source)
  
***St. Porphyrios is saying this in a loving and joking manner and he continued to guide and support and pray for the Monastery the rest of his life, and continues to do so now from Paradise.
  

St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

A recent healing at the Monastery of Ntaou, Penteli

The Holy Venerable Martyrs of the Monastery of Christ Pantocrator, Ntaou Penteli (source)

  
A nun from the Monastery of the Pantocrator, Ntaou, Penteli (where they treasure the Holy Relics of over 150 martyred monastic Saints, who gave their lives for Christ all together on Great and Holy Pascha) related a miracle that occurred just last week to a group of pilgrims:

A paraplegic boy from Russia visited the Monastery with his parents from the 21st to the 22nd. He had never walked in his life! In his mind he had the thought, however. He was a law student with honors! He venerated the holy bodies of the Saints, and the Abbess crossed him with the Holy Relics and told him: "The Saints have boldness and God listens to them! From you it is asked now if you have the faith to get up and walk!"

At one point, his parents were in the Monastery gift shop, and the boy remained by himself in the Church, when after a short time, he got up, and not just this, but began to run in the courtyard and the other parts of the Monastery! The miracle had occurred! The young man who was healed said that, when he graduates from the Law School of Moscow, he will come by foot to Greece, to venerate at the Monastery!
  
(source)
  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

The 179 Venerable Martyrs of Ntaou Penteli

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

The 179 Holy Martyrs of Ntaou Penteli Monastery - Commemorated on Bright Tuesday (source)

   

The horrifying account of the martyrdom of the 179 holy martyrs of Pantokratoros Monastery in Ntaou Penteli was recorded soon after the event of 1680 by Cyril Degleri, abbot of Penteli Monastery. He and others record how Algerian pirates (some say they were Turkish or Albanian-Turkish pirates) docked their ship at the nearby port of Rafina during Holy Week of 1680. After failing in its raid of the fortified Ntaou Penteli Monastery in search of its treasures, under mysterious circumstances a servant of the monastery decided to betray the fathers and told the pirates of an access point otherwise unknown to outsiders (and recently discovered by archaeologists).

On Pascha, during the midnight service, after the final "Christ is Risen!" was joyfully chanted by the fathers following the Divine Liturgy, the pirates stormed into the katholikon and began the gruesome slaughter. 179 monks and hieromonks, including the abbot, were massacred by the pirates. The pirates took their treasure and escaped back to Rafina, after having set fire to the monastery.

Two escaped martyrdom however. One was a hieromonk and the other was a novice. They were not at the monastery that tragic evening, as they travelled to neighboring Nea Makri to serve the Paschal Divine Liturgy at a metochion of Pantokratoros Monastery where there were monks that kept the animals and farms of the monastery in Herotsakouli. They returned to Ntaou Penteli on Pascha Sunday evening only to find two dead monks at the entrance and their monastery burned down, save for the katholikon (which survives till today). When they entered the katholikon, they saw dozens of the fathers in a pool of blood. Some had been severely beaten, while others were cut in pieces.

On Bright Monday morning the heiromonk and the novice set out to seek help in burying the martyred monks from the neighboring fathers of Penteli Monastery, otherwise known as Dormition of the Theotokos Monastery. On the way they had a view of the port of Rafina and saw the pirates leaving. When the fathers of Penteli Monastery heard of the massacre, they went to Pantokratoros Monastery in Ntaou Penteli and helped bury all the bodies after a Bright Week funeral service was performed.

The names of the holy martyrs and the location of their burial were lost to history...until 1963.

   

The Monastery of Christ Pantocrator, Ntaou Penteli (source)

   

About the Monastery
Pantokratoros Monastery was built before the tenth century over the ruins of older churches and before that an ancient Greek temple. It is of the same architecture as Armenian and Georgian monasteries. It was named Ntaou after the ancient Greek epigram "Tao" found at the monastery. The founder was Nikos the Kamatiros and before the Ottoman occupation probably had over 600 monks. In its history it endured fires, as well as capture by the Franks and the Turks. It is in the district of Ntaou to the east of Mount Penteli. Mount Penteli, or Mount Amomon, was surrounded by many monasteries. This is why it was called the Mountain of the Pure because it was filled with monastics (Amomon means "pure"). Pantokratoros Monastery became a metochion of Penteli Monastery which was further up the mountain after its destruction in 1680. In 1692 Penteli Monastery was recognized by Ecumenical Patriarch Cyril as stavropegial along with the Holy Monastery of Ntaou Penteli and the Holy Monastery of Saint Nicholas Kalision, which means that the monasteries were now directly under the Ecumenical Patriarch and not the local bishop (today they are once again independent).

From 1680 until 1963 Pantokratoros Monastery in Ntaou Penteli was deserted, except for one monk to take care of the grounds. In 1963, 283 years after the massacre, eleven nuns from Saint Patapios Monastery in Loutraki came with the blessing of Archbishop Chrysostomos of Athens to Ntaou Penteli to revive it. It was still a metochion of Penteli at the time. The abbot of Penteli, Theoklitos, had cells built for the nuns and gave them land to farm by which to live. On March 18, 1971 under imperial edict (there was a King in Greece at the time) the metochion became autonomous from Penteli and became a coenobium once again. The monastery today looks very different from what it did in 1963, as it expanded for the needs of the nuns and has been beautified.

One of the most interesting features of the katholikon of Ntaou Penteli Monastery is that this one church has a total of eight altars. This indicates that Pantokratoros Monastery was one of the rare akoimiton monasteries of the Roman Empire, that is, it was a monastery in which there was continuous prayer twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week. Akoimiton means "unsleeping". The only reason a church would need eight altars is because canonically the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist cannot be performed more than once on the same day by the same priest on the same altar. With eight altars eight Divine Liturgies can take place in one day with eight different priests.

   

Several graves of the Holy New Martyrs of Ntaou Penteli (source)

   

The Discovery of the 179 Martyrs
The location of the bodies of the 179 martyrs remained unknown and lost to time when the nuns arrived in 1963. All the records indicated that the martyrs were buried by the monks of Penteli Monastery, but not where they buried them nor do they give the names of the monks. The nuns tried looking for the burial spot, but came out empty handed. What was completely unknown to them however was that the murdered monks were buried inside the monastery and not outside as they had assumed. In September of 1963 work on the monastery began. The nuns prayed for forty days that a discovery of the relics would be made. In the afternoon of the fortieth day the discovery was made.

The first 65 bodies were discovered by the abbess (Styliani) and nuns inside the katholikon when workers were working on the floor tiles replacing them with new ones. It was then that they noticed a beautiful fragrance not only in the katholikon but throughout the monastery. The abbess, understanding this to be a miracle of the martyrs, then requested that an excavation be done first of all in front of the Royal Doors of the katholikon in the solea. Doing so, they discovered an entire body incorrupt. They determined that this must have been the abbot at the time of the slaughter [Through divine revelation, this was revealed to the Relic of the Abbot of the Monastery, Abbot Neilos.]  Excavating the rest of the floor, they discovered the other 64 bodies. Upon completion, the Archbishop of Athens, Chrysostmos, was notified. He arrived at the monastery and confirmed everything. Till this day the relics of the martyred fathers continue to give off a beautiful fragrance and they flow with myrrh. When one venerates their relics, one can confirm this in person.

All 179 bodies of the martyrs were not found however. 114 remained missing. Certain pilgrims, such as Elder Iakovos Tsalikes and Metropolitan Antonios of Sisani, would see lights as if from oil lamps where the graves of the martyrs are today. But [Saint] Porphyrios told the current abbess, also named Styliani, that the nuns "walk on top of the graves of other saints". With this advice an excavation was done in 1990 around the perimeters of the katholikon, and in truth many more relics were found. These relics were placed in a larnax within the katholikon, as well as within another chapel built next to it.

The 179 martyrs were not officially proclaimed saints right away. However, because of the many miracles performed by these newly-revealed martyrs after the translation of their relics, Archbishop Seraphim of Athens requested of the Ecumenical Patriarchate an official canonization. The Ecumenical Patriarchate accepted the canonization in 1992 and established Bright Tuesday as their feast day, the day they were buried by the fathers of Penteli Monastery.

We still do not know the names of these 179 martyrs. This is because the pirates burned the monastery to the ground as well as all the old records of the monastery. However, because of certain dreams of the faithful, a number of names are acknowledged. They receive these revelations accompanied with the healing done on them, whether it be cancer, disease, sickness, or whatever else. For example, one father who appears and works miracles is named Mark.
   

Several graves of the Holy New Martyrs of Ntaou Penteli (source)

   

The Monastery Today
Today the monastery is populated with over 30 nuns. They survive mainly through their work in ecclesiastical embroidery and garment making, as well as Byzantine iconography. Other nuns do the farm work to sustain themselves with. Inside the monastery is also a reputable school of Byzantine music. All but a few nuns are highly educated beyond merely a high school education. They have taken in orphans and supported their education, poor girls they have helped marry, children with psychiatric issues they have helped, and whoever visits the monastery is generously given hospitality.

Recently a new church was built at the monastery exclusively dedicated to the 179 newly-revealed martyrs. It was built with the offerings of the faithful and took a little over six years to build.

Miracles
A certain priest named Fr. Seraphim had great reverence for the holy martyrs of Ntaou Penteli. A few years ago he began to suffer from severe headaches and travelled to Thessaloniki in order to have it checked. X-Rays revealed he had a tumor on his brain. The doctor advised him of the seriousness of the situation and the necessity for an immediate surgery. Sorrowfully he telephoned the abbess of Ntaou Penteli, and she advised him to first come to the monastery and venerate the holy relics before the surgery. Indeed he went, venerated the holy relics, and prayed for their help. The abbess then gave him a very small particle from the holy relics, which he was very moved by, and he had it put in a silver box and placed on the Holy Altar of his parish. The next day when he entered the church to conduct the Divine Liturgy, he noticed that surrounding the silver box containing the relic was a circle of something like oil. With great faith he took a piece of cotton, soaked it in the oil-like substance, and made the sign of the cross with it to his head. Following the Divine Liturgy Fr. Seraphim telephoned the monastery and informed the abbess of the miracle, and eventually sent a photograph showing the oil-like substance which came from the reliquary. Because of his great faith Fr. Seraphim put off going back to the doctor for six months, all the while praying for healing. He finally went back and received an X-Ray. To the astonishment of all, the tumor was completely gone.

(source)

   

The Holy Church of the 179 New Venerable Martyrs, Pantocrator Monastery, Ntaou Penteli (decorated for the feast of the Holy Martyrs on Bright Tuesday, 2011) (source)

   

Several testimonials from Pilgrims from the Holy Feast of the Venerable Martyrs - April 17th, 2012 (amateur translations)

"The Holy Fathers began to attract all these pilgrims and more to their home through their wonderworking grace. That which I experienced during the Divine Liturgy was unrepeatable! Grace, light, radiance...but their presence is astonishing; I sensed them next to me! There were moments when I got goosebumps from the emotion!"

   

"It is one thing to read about miracles, and another to hear of them with your ears and to see them with your eyes. You become confirmed in the faith, and become another man. It is awesome how much God glorifies those who loved Him and sacrificed for His love. After the Divine Liturgy, at the reception, I struck up a conversation with some other pilgrims, and heard about some miracles which were clearly astonishing! A clinically dead person in the ICU, and another with metastatic bone canver. And both are now most healthy, and they related to me how the Saints granted them health, contradicting the doctors. Do you believe or not, after such miracles?"

   

"We came to the Monastery in the grace of the Saints, but also to offer up our pain and problems to the Fathers, and also to honor them and thank them, as they stand always ready to help, and to entreat our Lord. There are terrible difficulties in our everyday life. However, we are not alone, God has given us the Saints as consolation, in these difficult days that we live in. The Holy Fathers are near to man and his needs. How I was moved when I saw people with candles in their hands entering the church, in gratitude!"

   

"I did not know about the Saints. We were taking a walk with my family, we got lost, and we "luckily" found the Monastery on their feast. Isn't this a miracle?"

   

"I am a physician. In the Hospital of Athens where I work in pathological anatomy. I saw within the span of one month, two miracles of the Holy Fathers, and I couldn't bear it. I said that I would go find them, to see who these Saints are. Most of us physicians, unfortunately, do not have faith. However, that which I experienced changed me completely. And in these two circumstances, that which occurred was naturally impossible, but the Saints accomplished them!"

(source)

 
For an excellent 45 minute documentary on the 179 holy newly-revealed martyrs as well as life at Ntaou Penteli Monastery, see here.

   

For the website of the Holy Monastery of the Pantocrator Tao (Ntaou) Penteli, see here.

   

Some of the Holy Relics of the New Venerable Martyrs (source)

   

Απολυτίκιον: Ήχος δ΄. Ο καθαρώτατος ναός του Σωτήρος.

Ως του Κυρίου αγιόλεκτοι άρνες, εξορμημένοι εκ χωρών διαφόρων, τη ποίμνη συνεδράμετε του Παντοκράτορος, όθεν θανατούμενοι απηνεία βαρβάρων, χαίροντες εξήλθετε εις ουράνιον μάνδραν, καθάπερ όσιοι και μάρτυρες Χριστού εκδυσωπούντες υπέρ των ψυχών υμών.

Apolytikion in Tone 4

As spotless lambs of the Savior, dashing out of various nations, the flock gathers together at Pantokratoros. Having been put to death by the rage of the barbarians, rejoicing you enter into heavenly pastures. Therefore holy martyrs of Christ, interceed on behalf of our souls.

(source)

   

Two hymns from the Paraklesis to the Holy Venerable Martyrs of Ntaou Penteli (amateur translations)

Tone Four.

O Venerable Martyrs of Penteli, being truly sons of the light and the Resurrection, as ones who stand rejoicing before Christ with much strength, through your holy intercessions, entreat Him on behalf of all those who call upon your prayers, and grant that their requests be fulfilled.

   

Plagal of the Second Tone.

Having cast off the evil works of the world, you hastened towards the Savior, taking up the Cross through asceticism, O true brothers in all things, and you beheld noetically, and were transported to Tabor, O Venerable Fathers of Penteli, workers of theosis. Therefore, you were also received by the Lord in martyrdom, on the Radiant Day [of His Resurrection], and ever behold His beauty, of which, make us worthy, fervently interceding for us.

(source)

   

Christ has risen from the dead, by death he has trampled on death, and to those in the graves given life!

Truly the Lord is risen!